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Tuesday, July 12, 2016

The Others...Southwick

A track became a privateers best friend when Southwick was put back on the schedule for the 2016 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championships. After a 3 year absence, Round 7 invaded Massachusetts and it was a great day for racing.

Photo: Jeff Miller

Qualifying always got a shake up in the years past at Southwick and the return would show no difference. A track like non other on the schedule gives local talent and "sand specialist" a chance to shine. When you see names like Tim Tremblay, Robbie Marshall, Dakota Tedder and Shane Kelleher all in the top 10 of 450 qualifying, it's bound to be a good day for privateers. 20 of the 36 450 riders to qualify on time were privateers. Guys like Tyler Bowers and Matt Bisceglia missed the cut on time. However, Bowers would get in with a consi win. The 250 qualifying looked a little more like normal with names you know up front. Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Austin Forkner would top the timed sessions. The number 570 of Cody VanBuskirk would put his KTM in the show after winning the 250 consi.

The 450 class might have offered the best races of the season. Kawasaki rider, Eli Tomac looked to regain old form and was lit in moto one. He'd chase the RCH Suzuki of Ken Roczen early and once around would gap to an almost 30 second win. Again in moto 2 it'd be Tomac making a statement and even a tip over after just taking the lead couldn't stop a 1-1 performance for his first W of the season. Justin Barcia would use 6-3 scores to claim the final podium spot.

250 racing continues to be a guess at who can and who will win. The Star Yamaha team looks to be getting comfortable at the top as they'd claim 4 of the top 5 overall positions on the day. But my who can is Austin Forkner. The Pro Circuit Kawasaki rookie has been consistent all season and was able to find his first podium of the season, going 5-2 for 3rd overall. Teammates Cooper Webb and Jeremy Martin would each claim moto wins though it'd be Webb's 2-1 that took top honors. Martin would finish the day 2nd overall.

Impressed or not? The Pro Circuit team. Forkner is solid and the 66 of Arnaud Tonus was impressive with 3rd in moto 1 and was as high as 4th in moto 2 before a tip over left him finishing 8th. Adam Cianciarulo, what is wrong? 9-19 for 14th. Are we watching Joey Savatgy throw away another championship? Probably my favorite rider on the track, but is he haunted by that red plate? Going 10-11 for 9th isn't going to make the fight any easier.

Rider: Adam Cianciarulo | Photo: Jeff Miller

Scoring points! Marshal Weltin, Jackson Richardson, Tevin Tapia, Brandon Scharer and Luke Clout were able to crack the top 20 in one moto of the 250 class. Joey Peters, Tim Tremblay, Jason Brooks, Ricky Renner, Robert Marshall and Jeremy Smith were able to do the same in the 450 class.

I'm beginning to sound like a broken record but Heath Harrison is on fire. The number 99 went 12-19 for 16th overall. A serious reason to watch those battles mid pack is rides like that put on by Noah McConhay. The number 96 Husky worked from 30th to 18th in moto 1 and from 37th to 15th in moto 2. Tim Tremblay made the trip down from Canada. Bike issues cost him a top 15 in moto 1, but he'd redeem himself with a 13th in the 2nd moto.

Rider: Noah McConahy | Photo: Jeff Miller

And now...The Others

250

20. 89 Marshal Weltin

21. 56 Jackson Richardson

22. 97 Tevin Tapia

23. 91 Brandon Scharer

24. 84 Jimmy Albertson

25. 492 Luke Clout

26. 677 Cody Williams

27. 297 Henry Miller

28. 570 Cody VanBuskirk

29. 593 Martin Castelo

30. 61 Gannon Audette

31. 412 Jared Lesher

32. 726 Gared Steinke

33. 640 Aaron Ziedfelder

34. 421 Vann Martin

35. 125 Josh Mosiman

36. 768 Cole Shondeck

37. 527 Matt Hammer

38. 964 Sean Ballard

39. 603 Parick Delowery

40. 73 Nick Gaines

450

20. 133 Ricky Renner

21. 748 Robert Marshall

22. 309 Jeremy Smith

23. 43 Fredrik Noren

24. 535 Joey Peters

25. 776 Ryan Dowd

26. 868 Michael Docherty

27. 956 Austin Phelps

28. 431 Travis Marsh

29. 886 Shane Kelleher

30. 88 Ronnie Stewart

31. 242 Shawn MacDonald

32. 987 Matthew Babbitt

33. 703 Justin Rando

34. 4 Blake Baggett

35. 859 Alex Higley

36. 317 Richie Tolman-Moschett

37. 474 Michael Giovanniello

38. 921 Isaac Teasdale

39. 151 Dakota Tedder

40. 580 Bobby Tiso

Next up the series will head to Millville, Minnesota to take on Spring Creek. The Martin family owns the property which may give us the advantage of a little sibling showdown between Alex and Jeremy....I'm picking Alex.

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Moto has been my life since I was about 5 years old. I've been working in the retail end of MX for about 15 years now and have been lucky enough to work for MxRider Magazine as well as work on projects with Nitro Circus, Nuclear Cowboyz, AMA, FELD, MX Sports and more. Brother of a privateer.